Autumn Colour

I've been meaning to take images in the local wood for a while now, but never really got around to it. Hookstone Wood is only 5 minutes from my house, and was once part of the ancient Forest of Knaresborough. Now a Local Nature Reserve and designated ‘town green’, it has ponds (formed from old quarries) and plenty of wildlife.


I've never found it particularly photogenic, but also haven't spend any time exploring the possibilities. Given that the advice from the professionals is is "know your own patch" and be ready to take advantage of any conditions, I decided to begin what I expect to be an ongoing project to capture the woods throughout the year.
I've now spent 3 Saturday afternoons wandering about, and I'm very happy with the results so far!
All images taken with the XPro1, most with the 10-24mm lens and using a Manfrotto tripod.

Bluebells are out !

I try every year to get a decent Bluebell image - without much success. The chances of getting the bluebells out, with good light on a day when I'm able to take pictures are fairly slim!

However, you just have to use the light you have, so these are this years attempts. All taken with the X Pro1 and 18-55mm, in Lindley Wood in Yorkshire.

Finally a bit of sun !

Easter Monday - although it was still cold, at least the sun made an appearance. Most of the snow had gone, and a bit of colour had finally returned to the landscape. Decided to go to Lindley Reservoir for a stroll through the woods and along the bank. Saw a beautiful Red Kite out hunting, but couldnt get a picture.

Even though it was sunny, I couldnt help going back to black and white, also making a spooky image - it must be done to the 8 months of winter we seem to have just experienced!

Springtime in Harrogate

Took a day off to make my birthday part of a long weekend. I didnt think I would get out at all when I first saw the weather, but although it stayed cold, it did stop snowing eventually. At one point I had to go back to the car to warm my hands - they were so cold it was making me feel sick! a quarter of an hour later and I was good to go again. All images taken with the Fuji 18-55mm lense, and processed in Lightroom using Perfect Effects 4, or Silver Efex Pro  2.

Snowy January

Took the day off work to take some pictures today - sadly the hard frost from yesterday didn't reappear, but a good day anyway!